amygdala
noun
amyg·da·la ə-ˈmig-də-lə 
plural amygdalae ə-ˈmig-də-ˌlē
-ˌlī
: the one of the four basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere that is part of the limbic system and consists of an almond-shaped mass of gray matter in the anterior extremity of the temporal lobe
called also amygdaloid nucleus
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Think clearly, however—using your conscious brain to reason, not just your amygdala to feel. 
Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 7 July 2022 In a hijack situation, the thalamus controls the air traffic differently and bypasses the cortex, sending the signal straight to the amygdala. Adaora Ayoade, Forbes, 28 June 2022 Your amygdala, the part of the brain associated with risk taking, is not finished growing. Essence, 1 July 2022 An amygdala hijack occurs when our experience of a conversation or event triggers a personal and visceral response that is immediate, overwhelming and disproportionate to what is actually happening. Abe Brown, Forbes, 24 June 2022 The amygdala, however, is responsible for emotion and long-term memory. Yec, Forbes, 19 May 2022 Harvard proved years ago that meditation increases cell density in the PFC and Hippocampus and decreases cell density in the amygdala. Christine Comaford, Forbes, 5 May 2022 The experience likely involves the amygdala, the part of the brain that automatically produces basic emotional responses to outside signals, including danger. Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2022 In brain-image scans, math-anxious children show more activity in the amygdala, a part of the brain central to processing fear. New York Times, 22 Mar. 2022 See More
Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 7 July 2022 In a hijack situation, the thalamus controls the air traffic differently and bypasses the cortex, sending the signal straight to the amygdala. Adaora Ayoade, Forbes, 28 June 2022 Your amygdala, the part of the brain associated with risk taking, is not finished growing. Essence, 1 July 2022 An amygdala hijack occurs when our experience of a conversation or event triggers a personal and visceral response that is immediate, overwhelming and disproportionate to what is actually happening. Abe Brown, Forbes, 24 June 2022 The amygdala, however, is responsible for emotion and long-term memory. Yec, Forbes, 19 May 2022 Harvard proved years ago that meditation increases cell density in the PFC and Hippocampus and decreases cell density in the amygdala. Christine Comaford, Forbes, 5 May 2022 The experience likely involves the amygdala, the part of the brain that automatically produces basic emotional responses to outside signals, including danger. Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2022 In brain-image scans, math-anxious children show more activity in the amygdala, a part of the brain central to processing fear. New York Times, 22 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Latin, almond, from Greek amygdalē
First Known Use
1845, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
amygdala
noun
amyg·da·la ə-ˈmig-də-lə
plural amygdalae -ˌlē -ˌlī
-ˌlī : the one of the four basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere that is part of the limbic system and consists of an almond-shaped mass of gray matter in the roof of the lateral ventricle
called also amygdaloid body, amygdaloid nucleus